Orana Catholic Primary School
Term 1, Week 6, 2021.
TO GIVE IS TO RECEIVE
Generosity is an attitude of freely sharing our ideas and talents and giving our time generously. We show generosity by being welcoming, inclusive and promoting a sense of belonging.
A Prayer for Lenten Grace
Loving God,
During the sacred season of Lent, bring me closer to you.
Prepare a place in my home and heart for silence and solitude,
so that I may re-discover the grace of a prayerful life.
Help me to fast from those things that threaten the wellbeing of body and soul,
and remind me of the grace of simplicity.
Enlarge my heart so that I give to those in need and, in so doing,
re-discover the grace of gratitude and generosity.
May this season be a grace-filled time to rekindle my love for and faith in you.
Amen
Dear Parents and Carers,
This week’s prayer lends itself to us reflecting on the importance of focusing on simplicity, in our complex world. Lent is a special time to refocus. The image above gives some practical ways to “Be More” at school and home.
This week I had the pleasure of attending Year 4-6 Swimming Carnival. Many thanks to Miss Dennett and a crew of parent helpers that ensured that the carnival ran smoothly. The students enjoyed a day of active participation, teamwork and healthy competition. It was heartening to see many examples of students congratulating and encouraging others.
Mrs Kirsty Byrne, our Assistant Principal, has welcomed her second daughter Lilly Marie into her family this week. Congratulations to the Byrne family on welcoming Lilly into the world.
When using the drive through, drop off area in the morning and afternoon, please ensure that your children are getting in and out of a vehicle via the ‘safety door’. The term ‘safety door’ refers to the rear passenger door closest to the kerb and/or away from the flow of traffic. Exiting on the traffic side is extremely dangerous as drivers are often given no warning that the door is being opened and the child is stepping out into oncoming traffic. Teaching students about using the safety door (verge side) is part of the road safety curriculum we teach.
This weekend, St John and St Paul’s Parish will be hosting enrolment masses for students making a sacrament this year. These students and their families are required to attend one of the weekend masses to demonstrate their willingness to receive the particular sacrament and collect their enrolment form. This is an important element of each child’s spiritual development and supports the Catholic ethos of our school. Please keep the sacramental students and their families in your prayers.
Harmony Week runs from 15th March through to Harmony Day on the 21st March. It is a time to celebrate Australian multiculturalism. Australia is one of the most successful multicultural countries in the world and we should celebrate this. The message of Harmony Week is ‘everyone belongs’. It is about inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians, regardless of cultural or linguistic background, united by a set of core Australian values. At Orana, we embrace diversity and are keen to integrate our families’ cultural heritage into our class activities.
Next week, the 19th March 2019, is The National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence (NDA). The theme is Bullying. No Way! Primary school aged bullying information is available via this link. https://bullyeingnoway.gov.au/resource/fact-sheets/documents/primary-school-students-cyberbullying-fact-sheet.pdf
We are very fortunate at Orana that we have a caring and responsible population of students. Occasionally, however, incidents can occur and it is important that these are discussed to ensure that any bullying is prevented and dealt with. Education about bullying is integrated through our Highway Heroes Program; Keeping Safe Program; Religious Education lessons and is embedded in the focus on our Gospel Values and Motto.
This year, there will be a change to the way we facilitate the Term 1 Parent Teacher Interviews. We will no longer close the school early, as we understand that this puts additional pressure on families. The interviews will be conducted before and after school. An online booking system will be used for scheduling. Beginning in Week 8, until the end of term and as part of our reporting to parent and carer’s process, interviews will occur for students and their parents in Pre-Primary to Year 6. Pre-primary to Year 3 with conduct Parent Teacher interviews. Year 4 to Year 6 will conduct three way interviews, so please bring your child with you. These are designed to help students develop responsibility for their learning and also to reinforce the partnership between home and school for the benefit of each child. More information on makings bookings will be sent out next week via Seesaw.
Kindy interviews for 2022 will commence early next term. If you have a child who is due to begin Kindy in 2022, please ensure your application has been received by the school office.
Please join us for our Junior Assembly next Friday, the 19th March. Parents and carers are also invited to join us for the assembly. Please sign in using the SafeWA app and maintain physical distance.
Best wishes and God bless
Dee Johnston
Principal
Dates To Remember
WEEK 7
- Wednesday 17th March - Cut off date for Screening Assessment Forms to be handed in (Kindy & PP)
- Wednesday 17th March - Puberty Parent Talk (Year 5 and 6), 6pm (Year 5 Classrooms)
- Thursday 18th March - 'Make A Move' lessons (Blue classes)
- Thursday 18th March - First Holy Communion (Eucharist) Parent/Carer Meeting (Year 4), 7pm (St John and Paul Parish Hall)
- Friday 19th March - Junior Assembly
- Friday 19th March - Year 2 Priest visit
- Friday 19th March - 'Make A Move' lessons (White classes)
- Saturday 20th March - P&F Star Gazing Night, 6pm-8pm
Please mark your diaries for the first Senior Community Mass on Saturday 26th March, 6.30pm (St John and Paul Parish)
Faith in Action
Project Compassion - Focus Story | Arsad From Indonesia
Arsad, an Indonesian farmer, had no toilet in his home, so he had to walk into the forest to the open defecation area, even at night or in the rain.
Around 17 percent of Indonesia’s rural population practise open defecation, with many unaware that it contributes to spreading diseases.
Arsad’s family was often sick and open defecation caused neighbourhood disputes. With the support of Caritas Australia and its partner, Laz Harfa, he took part in hygiene, sanitation and financial management training. He decided to fund the building of a toilet in his house and facilitated others in his neighbourhood to save up for toilets.
Now, Arsad and his family are healthier and have reduced their medical expenses. Their community no longer practises open defecation and is more harmonious. A community event, called ‘Declaration of Open Defecation-Free’ was even held to acknowledge their achievements.
Improved hygiene practices helped Arsad’s community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Caritas Australia, through Laz Harfa, also shared prevention measures and distributing soap and masks.
Arsad has inspired his neighbourhood to ‘Be More’.
“We help each other, the ‘togetherness’ is growing. Our solidarity had increased,” Arsad says.
Thank you for supporting Project Compassion.
Keep Up the Good Work!
Our Projection Compassion Tally is looking really healthy.
Sacramental Program
First Holy Communion (Eucharist) Parent/Carer Meeting
Parents/carers of students in Year 4 who will be enrolling in the Sacrament of First Holy Communion (Eucharist) Program are to attend the meeting at our Sts John and Paul Parish Hall on Thursday 18th March at 7:00pm. We are looking forward to meeting you there.
Sacramental Enrolment Masses
This weekend, students who are enrolling in the Sacramental Program for First Holy Communion, Confirmation and Reconciliation must attend one of the Mass times below with their family or parent/carer and following Mass attend the Parish Hall to receive an enrolment form for this year's Sacramental Program. Remember to arrive a little early to sign in with SafeWA following Covid-19 protocols.
- 13th March - 5:00pm, 6:30pm
- 14th March - 10:30am
We look forward to supporting your child's faith and sacramental journey this year.
From our Parish of Sts John & Paul
Term 1 Community Mass
It is wonderful to hear that the senior students are getting excited for our upcoming Community Mass on Saturday 27th March at 6:30pm and the Choir has already begun rehearsing songs for the Palm Sunday Vigil Mass. We hope you will be able to join us. Ms Draper has asked our senior students to be present to lift the Mass with song via an electronic commitment form.
Please visit the Parish website for the latest information on weekend Masses.
Swimming Carnival News
Well done to all students in Years 4-6 who competed in the Orana Swimming Carnival for 2021. The students represented their faction over various swimming strokes, distances, relays and novelty games. This was the first swimming carnival for our Year 4 students who were an exceptional addition to the day. The students were wonderful sports people, cheering their factions and competitors on. A special thank you to all the parents, staff and students who attended the event and assisted in the organisation of the day. Students who qualify for the CAPSS Inter School Athletics Carnival will represent Orana at Fremantle Leisureplex on Tuesday 30 March.
Now to the results!
Tayla Dennett
Physical Education Specialist
Science News
This year, Orana is committed to caring for our common home, Earth. The students have written
goals during Science.
Please click on the link to view further information.
Bec Hogan
Science Specialist
NEWS FROM THE P&F
Hello from the P&F!
This afternoon we will be hosting a Sundowner event where we welcome existing and new families into the school year. There will be inflatables, slides, face painters, and of course, your friendly faces. Please check the link below to purchase your tickets. For more information, look for flyers around the school with QR code to the shop, or the Parents of Orana Facebook page.
Keep a lookout for our Stargazing Event next week, Saturday Evening, 20th March 2021 at 6pm-8.30pm. We have invited a local astronomy club to host the event, wowing us with an interactive presentations and activity as well as a number of telescopes being set up. Please join us for this entertaining and educational event. Sausage Sizzle is available prior to the event at 5pm – 6pm. Tickets will be available for purchase until the 19th March 2021, with Sausage Sizzle Order to close on the 17th March 2021. Below is the link for you to purchase the tickets and food orders
https://orana-catholic-primary-school-parents-and-friends-association.square.site/
Colour Run is coming back this year and the committee is hard at work preparing – stay tuned.
The P&F Executive team is recruiting to fill the Secretary position. This is a great opportunity for someone to get involved with the Executive team. Michael Holmes, who was in the role last year, will provide guidance for the incoming person. Please get involved. For queries and further information, please contact us via oranapandf@gmail.com
If you would like to get in touch with us, please reach out at oranapandf@gmail.com.
Kind regards,
P&F Executive Team
Social Worker News
The Importance of Play
Your child will love playing with you, but sometimes they might prefer to play by themselves. They might just want you to give them ideas and let them know how their play and games are going. And sometimes they might want to play with other children – no grownups allowed!
Kath Warburton
Social Worker
OSHC News
School Banking
School Banking day is Wednesday. Please bring bank books to the office each Wednesday morning. We are not able to securely store personal bank books, so they must be brought in every Wednesday and will be returned on Wednesday afternoon.